Coach Prime Makes Grand Entrance with Thrilling Upset in Colorado Debut

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Believe in the anticipation.

The Colorado coaching debut of Deion Sanders, famously known as Coach Prime, garnered significant attention, but skepticism loomed over the capabilities of the Buffaloes after undergoing an unprecedented overhaul of their roster in Boulder.

Sanders confidently affirmed, “We had forewarned our arrival. Doubters were misled. Our proof stands strong,” after Colorado managed to upset No. 17 TCU with a remarkable 45-42 victory on Saturday, exceeding even the loftiest predictions.

In a stunning turn of events, a team comprising nearly 90 new players emerged victorious against the very team that had competed for the national championship in the preceding season.

Initiating the review:

Shedeur Sanders, the son of Coach Prime, established a school record by amassing 510 passing yards in his inaugural major college football game, an achievement all the more impressive considering his transition from Jackson State alongside his father.

Travis Hunter, who played both receiver and cornerback roles, participated in 129 plays and secured 11 catches for a total of 119 yards. However, his most notable contribution materialized as an interception in the red zone against TCU.

Hunter’s resolute attitude was evident when he declared, “I am not fatigued. I am prepared to return to the field,” as he sported a T-shirt adorned with the image of his Hall of Fame coach during postgame interactions.

Freshman talent Dylan Edwards, enticed by Coach Prime away from Notre Dame, emerged as a standout player with 159 yards gained from 11 touches, punctuated by four touchdowns, including the decisive score in the late stages of the fourth quarter.

This victory snapped Colorado’s streak of 27 consecutive losses to ranked teams on the road.

At the culmination of the triumphant feat, Sanders confronted the doubters and skeptics.

In a pointed question posed to a reporter, he inquired, “Do you now believe? I have perused the inaccurate content you authored. Have you been convinced?”

While it remains a single game, the prospect of Colorado becoming an engaging and pertinent entity is difficult to dismiss. Sanders’s adeptness at not only revitalizing a nearly reconstructed roster but also preparing it for Power Five football is undoubtedly commendable.

The inclusion of offensive coordinator Sean Lewis, who relinquished a head coaching role at Kent State to join Coach Prime’s staff, appears to be an astute hiring decision.

Subsequently, Colorado is poised to engage in its inaugural home match against Nebraska next week. Nebraska, a team overseen by a new coach, stands in contrast to Coach Prime’s successful debut.

Nebraska experienced a loss under the leadership of Matt Rhule against Minnesota through a concluding field goal on Thursday.

Expectations are high for an electrifying revival of the historic Big Eight rivalry at Folsom Field.

Gauging the limits of potential:

The defense displayed vulnerabilities against TCU, and offensive improvements in the running game are imperative to alleviate pressure on quarterback Shedeur Sanders. This dynamic, however, aligns Colorado with several Pac-12 teams facing similar challenges this season.

Sustaining Hunter’s involvement in 120 plays per game may prove to be unfeasible.

In conjunction with No. 14 Utah and No. 18 Oregon State, the Pac-12 conference has gained an added layer of excitement.

For those seeking respite from the prominence of Coach Prime, it is advisable to brace for extensive coverage of CU throughout September.

The forthcoming home opener is once again earmarked for the Big Noon presentation by Fox, commencing at 10 a.m. local time.

After the encounter with in-state rival Colorado State, the Buffaloes will confront consecutive matches against Oregon and USC, culminating a compelling September itinerary.

Coach Prime has indeed captured the attention of enthusiasts.

PAC-12’s Farewell Serenade:

The Pac-12’s potentially concluding season of football has commenced with a strong performance on the field.

While No. 18 Oregon State prepares to compete against San Jose State on Sunday, the Pac-12 is the sole undefeated conference in the nation. All other conferences have already sustained at least two losses.

Externally, only two schools have reaffirmed their commitment to the Pac-12 beyond the present academic year: Oregon State and Washington State.

The remaining institutions are set to integrate into other Power Five conferences, including Colorado, among the four Pac-12 teams transitioning to the Big 12 next year.

Failures in leadership and the implementation of unsound decisions by those in authority have resulted in the precarious state of the once-potent Conference of Champions. If it does manage to endure in a reconfigured framework, its essence will inevitably be altered.

The poignant sentiment is accentuated by the knowledge that the conference has the potential for entertaining and competitive endeavors.

The inaugural weekend offered a glimpse of the possibilities.

Commencing on Thursday evening, Utah dominated Florida from the SEC in Salt Lake City, despite the absence of its starting quarterback.

Stanford triumphed over Hawaii on Friday under the leadership of coach Troy Taylor, marking his first game in charge.

Saturday witnessed Colorado’s triumphant overthrow of TCU, Washington’s commanding victory against Boise State, California’s decisive win over North Texas, UCLA’s introduction of five-star freshman quarterback Dante Moore against Coastal Carolina, and Oregon’s substantial 80-point triumph over an FCS adversary.

Simultaneously, Washington State showcased its prowess by scoring 50 points against Colorado State from the Mountain West Conference, which could potentially become a future conference rivalry for the Cougars.

New Quarterback Revelations:

The quarterback scenario for No. 3 Ohio State remains uncertain, while No. 4 Alabama seems to have attained clarity in this regard.

The Buckeyes witnessed a relatively uninspiring offensive performance from Kyle McCord during a laborious victory over Indiana, coinciding with the debut of the Big Ten on CBS.

McCord’s statistics included a 20-for-32 completion rate, amassing 239 yards and an interception. Backup quarterback Devin Brown, who was perceived as closely matched with McCord during the offseason, experienced only limited playtime.

Brown completed 1 out of 3 passes and recorded a negative five-yard run. Ohio State’s coach Ryan Day conceded that he desired more playing time for Brown but sought to avoid disrupting the team’s rhythm.

The Buckeyes will have two home games against Youngstown State and Western Kentucky to refine their strategies before encountering No. 13 Notre Dame on September 23.

Conversely, Alabama faces a more immediate challenge with No. 11 Texas on their forthcoming schedule. Jalen Milroe, however, managed to alleviate certain concerns for coach Nick Saban.

Refusing to speculate on future prospects for his quarterbacks, Saban humorously remarked, “This object is a bottle of Coca-Cola, not a crystal ball,” gesturing to the soft drink he held during the postgame session.

Milroe, a third-year quarterback who stepped in for Bryce Young the previous season, showcased his prowess by contributing three touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns in a resounding victory over Middle Tennessee State.

No. 1 Georgia encountered a smooth opening match against Tennessee-Martin. The replacement for Stetson Bennett, Carson Beck, performed admirably, completing 21 of 31 passes for 294 yards and a touchdown.

The most impressive exhibition among newly-appointed starting quarterbacks from highly-ranked teams was observed at Happy Valley.

Drew Allar, a former five-star recruit, demonstrated his capabilities by amassing 325 passing yards and three touchdowns, propelling No. 7 Penn State to an emphatic victory against West Virginia.

National Landscape Highlights:

Across the nation: Fresno State, Northern Illinois, and Texas State crafted remarkable upsets against Power Five adversaries, which came accompanied by significant financial gains. Fresno State secured a victory against Purdue in coach Ryan Walters’ debut, earning $1.35 million for their efforts. Northern Illinois prevailed against Boston College in overtime, receiving $1.1 million as compensation. Texas State celebrated its first victory against a Power Five opponent with a win over Baylor, garnering $375,000 for their journey to Waco. G.J. Kinne, the coach of the Bobcats, marked an impressive debut.

A noteworthy Group of Five over Power Five upset unfolded in Wyoming, where the Cowboys emerged victorious against Texas Tech in overtime.

Brian Ferentz, the offensive coordinator for No. 19 Wisconsin, faces the challenge of achieving an average of 25 points per game to retain his position. Despite a promising start with a 14-0 lead against Utah State in the first quarter, Iowa’s performance aligned with their characteristic style.

No. 25 Wisconsin inaugurated their new Air-Raid-inspired offensive approach with a compelling victory, accumulating 312 rushing yards and four touchdowns against Buffalo.

In conclusion:

The emergence of Coach Prime in Colorado has ushered in an era of excitement and renewed competitiveness. While the future of the Pac-12 conference remains uncertain, its present on-field performance demonstrates its potential. New quarterbacks in prominent teams have offered glimpses of their abilities, with varying degrees of success. Across the country, unexpected upsets and notable performances have enriched the opening weekend of college football.

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More about college football kickoff

• Coach Prime’s debut: Read more
• Upset victory over No. 17 TCU: Full game recap
• New quarterbacks’ performances: Quarterback highlights
• Pac-12 conference uncertainty: Pac-12 future outlook
• College football kickoff weekend: Kickoff weekend analysis